Border Patrol surveillance balloons return

MCALLEN, Texas — Military balloons are returning to the skies over the South Texas border as U.S. Customs and Border Protection tests the old-school surveillance platform for a second straight year.

CBP had tested the aerostats, similar to World War II-era barrage balloons, last year. This year, they’ll be tethered in Penitas (pehn-YEE’-tahs), near the Rio Grande 15 miles west of McAllen, about 10 miles further west near Sullivan City, and 70 miles to the north near Falfurrias, an area heavily traveled by immigrants.

The balloons will carry sensors allowing operators to monitor activity near the border that could threaten homeland security.

A CBP statement says it will build on last year’s tests to discern whether military-surplus aerostats could assist with border security.